The 48th annual Denver Film Festival crowned Oliver Laxe’s cinematic spectacle Sirat as Best Feature, solidifying its place among the year’s most celebrated films. This visually striking, pre-apocalyptic road trip journey captivated audiences and judges alike, earning the prestigious Krzysztof Kieslowski Award.
Originally premiering at Cannes and collecting accolades worldwide, Sirat impressed a jury composed of film critic David Ansen, Variety’s awards editor Clayton Davis, and actor-producer Clara McGregor. In their remarks, the trio praised the film’s hauntingly beautiful world-building, exceptional performances, immersive sound design, and breathtaking cinematography — a combination they deemed unforgettable.
Documentary Excellence: Cover-Up Takes Top Honors
In the nonfiction category, the Maysles Brothers Award went to Cover-Up, directed by Laura Poitras and Mark Obenhaus. Centering on renowned investigative journalist Seymour Hersh, the documentary delivers a candid look at the sacrifices and risks involved in confronting state-sponsored violence.
Jurors Bing Liu, Lisa Lucas, and Chris Gardner called it “a courageous, unflinching portrait of truth-telling in the face of power,” emphasizing its emotional depth and urgent social relevance.
Special Mention: Seeds
Brittany Shyne’s Seeds earned a special jury mention for its heartfelt portrayal of an intergenerational community that stands together against societal neglect. The jury applauded Shyne’s patient storytelling and compassionate lens that radiates hope under adversity.
Celebrating American Independent Cinema
The American Independent Award was presented to Joel Alfonso Vargas’s Mad Bills to Pay (or Destiny, dile que no soy malo), a poignant slice-of-life narrative set within the Dominican-American community of the Bronx. Jurors praised its authenticity, understated emotional resonance, and compelling performances from Juan Collado and Destiny Checo.
Short Film Achievements
From student projects to grand jury selections, short films flourished at the festival. Winners included:
- The Singers by Sam Davis – Grand Jury Winner
- Nervous Energy by Eve Liu – Best Student Live Action Short
- We Beg to Differ by Ruairi Bradley – Special Mention
- Detlev by Ferdinand Ehrhardt – Best Student Animation
- Pear Garden by Shadab Shayegan – Special Mention
Audience Favorites & Music Grant Awards
Audience-choice awards honored Maryam Touzani’s Calle Malaga for Best Narrative Feature, Comparsa by Vickie Curtis and Doug Anderson for Best Documentary Feature, and The Singers for Best Short Film.
In the Music on Film — Film on Music category, grants were awarded to Nicole Teeny’s Bulletproof Stockings and Mike Gill & Scott Evans’ The Road to Ruane.
Honoring Industry Icons
This year’s Denver Film Festival also spotlighted industry greats including Lucy Liu, Delroy Lindo, Gus Van Sant, Imogen Poots, Ben Foster, Niecy Nash-Betts, Charlie Polinger, Zoey Deutch, Peggy Ahwesh, and Chloe Zhao, each receiving distinguished awards for contributions to cinema.
A Festival of Bold Voices
Artistic Director Matthew Campbell praised the 2025 edition as a celebration of creativity, authenticity, and community: “These films challenge our perspective, stir emotions, and embody the spirit of storytelling that defines Denver Film.”
